US Expected to Deploy 3,000-4,000 Soldiers from 82nd Airborne to Middle East
Two informed sources told Reuters the US Pentagon is expected to deploy 3,000 to 4,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to the Middle East.
The move would add to some 50,000 US troops already in the region and follows the deployment of thousands of Marines and sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer and accompanying warships, as reported by Reuters on March 20.
The sources said no decision has been made to station forces inside Iran but the deployment would increase capacity for potential future operations in the region. Anna Kelly, deputy White House spokesperson, said: "As we said, President Trump always has all military options available."
The expected buildup comes amid a US military escalation following operations against Iran that began on February 28 alongside Israel. The US has struck some 9,000 targets inside Iran since then.
President Trump recently delayed threats to bomb Iranian power plants and said "constructive" talks with Iran had taken place. Iran denied any negotiations. Trump has also mentioned the possibility of an agreement with Tehran to end the war, now in its fourth week, which has disrupted global markets.
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